Initiatives

Our vision for the Gene Duffy Foundation is to provide initiatives that address alcoholism and substance abuse issues while providing greater access to high quality, effective treatment for people already in the grips of alcoholism and/or substance abuse.

Thus, the three major areas of focus are treatment, research, and education.

Treatment

We help motivated individuals who cannot afford drug and alcohol treatment access a quality residential program.

Research

The Foundation promotes education and research about drug and alcohol addiction, with an emphasis on studies that will serve to improve quality and effectiveness of treatment.

Education

We are committed to raising awareness and overcoming stigma by supporting needed education on the topics of addiction and recovery.

We Help People Access Treatment

A lack of resource often leads people to hopelessness and despair, which has a paralyzing effect. Unaddressed, addiction causes heartache, loss, and premature death.

So the Gene Duffy Foundation is committed to helping motivated individuals who are financially challenged access a quality residential treatment program.

A quality program is one with an established track record of treatment service with integrity and the same 12 Step philosophy that Gene Duffy embraced and taught.

It is our experience that without a well thought-out continuum of care, the probability of relapse with this disease is too high. It is well documented that a 90–120 days of treatment is ideal for one who is serious about turning their life around.

Component Examples of a Relapse Prevention Plan

Continued treatment at the outpatient level

Sober living environment (SLE)

Sponsor/recovery coach relationship

Commitment to recovery meetings and working through the 12 Steps

Criteria for Individuals

Evident need

High level of motivation

Lack of ability to pay

Reasonable support structure post-treatment

We Promote Research About Addiction and Treatment

This project provides funding for the study and analysis of the current state of treatment, its successes and failures, and effective methods for stimulating positive human development and sustainable lifelong recovery.

Good addiction research has resulted in the adoption of evidence-based practices such as

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)

Motivational interviewing

Relapse prevention therapy

Confirmation of the effectiveness of the 12 Step recovery process

Additionally, the study of the neurobiology of addiction has successfully developed targeted treatments to support recovery.

We Educate Families and Communities

Although most medical associations define addiction as a disease, common society does not accept it as such. In truth, an addicted person is an ill person who needs to get well, not a bad person who needs to be good.

This distinction is critically important because shame paralyzes an addict or alcoholic from taking action and seeking help—and paralyzes a family, a workplace, even an entire community resulting in a failure to acknowledge the problem or react with compassionate intervention and care.

Addiction thrives in darkness and secrecy. It must be named and brought to the light, and that requires awareness of what it is, where it’s taken hold, and how to root it out.

Until there is understanding and acceptance that this is a true disease that affects not just the individual, but also entire families, it will stay hidden and judgment and blame will prevail.

Education Projects

Production of a quality video series with the potential to reach millions online via social media

Development and presentation of an event that educates the general public on addiction issues and provides resources related to treatment

Education scholarships to college students training in the field and industry professionals furthering their education

In truth, an addicted person is an ill person who needs to get well, not a bad person who needs to be good.

Current Fundraising Campaigns

Bluegrass Region Recovery Initiative

Heroin and other opioids have devastated Kentucky, yet the amount of treatment opportunities available are few. The horse industry is especially affected by addiction.

So, a current leading initiative of the Foundation is to increase access to addiction treatment and resources for those in the Bluegrass Region.

Power to Change Scholarship Fund

The Power to Change Scholarship Fund honors the life and work of Singer-Songwriter Elizabeth Edwards. This fund provides financial assistance to enable individuals to receive addiction treatment, raises awareness about the stigma of addiction, and supports “sober schools” and government advocacy.